The clock symbolizes time, which feels unpredictable and sped-up throughout the play. It feels that way for a reason: Shakespeare has in fact compressed fourteen years worth of history into the span of a month. At the start of the play, Richard seems to work the sped-up time to his favor, successfully wooing Anne as soon as her husband has died and passing off his murder of Clarence as the too-quick fulfillment of King Edward's own death-order. Yet, as the play goes on, Richard seems to lose control of time and frequently asks what time it is. Before the final battle, a clock strikes, the sun fails to rise at its scheduled time, and Richard fears the resultant black sky bodes ill for his fate on the battlefield. Indeed, he is killed by Richmond, which brings the hurtling play to a sudden halt.
The Clock Quotes in Richard III
The Richard III quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Clock. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 5, Scene 3
Quotes
The sun will not be seen to-day;
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.
I would these dewy tears were from the ground.
Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me
More than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.
Related Characters:
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, King Richard III (speaker), Richmond, King Henry VII
Related Symbols:
The Clock
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Richard III LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Clock Symbol Timeline in Richard III
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Clock appears in Richard III. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 4, Scene 2
Richard finally acknowledges Buckingham by asking him for the time, saying that "like a Jack, thou keep'st the stroke betwixt thy begging and my meditation."...
(full context)
Act 5, Scene 5
